Astros watch as trading deadline passes, had no more moves to make

When my son, who is 14, was younger, he would excitedly choose his Halloween costume, wear it for days, and then, when it was time to go trick or treating on Halloween night, wouldn’t wear it.

Go figure.

It felt a little that Jeff Luhnow and his staff were doing that Tuesday, when the trading deadline passed without them making a move. Maybe they knew they couldn’t pose as Batman. Cinderella would not only have been far-fetched but weird.

In fact, they had no more moves to make. Within a week, they had traded six major league players for 15 prospects, two to be named later, and two major leaguers. So they watched and waited like everyone else as the deadline approached to see what contenders like the Rangers, Reds and Dodgers would do to get better and whether any scraps would be left over.

Now fast forward one year. Luhnow said this week there’s no certainty that the Astros will be more active at the 2013 trading deadline, although he expects the team to be playing around .500 by then, barring injures or the feds deciding it’s safe for the anonymous players on the roster to be released from witness protection.

“I’d like to be in a position by next year where it’s our choice whether we’re buyers or sellers,” Luhnow said. “But it depends on the dynamic. You have to look at it realistically. If the division leader(presuming that’s not going to be the Astros in the AL West) is 12 games ahead and we’re seeking a wild-card berth, which is a one-game playoff, we might not be willing to give up much for that result.

“We’re on track, consistent with what our fans want to see and our ownership wants to see, to get this franchise to a point where we can view it year in and year out. For us, the draft was a huge success. The deals we made near the trading deadline, when we reflect on it, will be a huge success.”

For now, as on Tuesday, we wait.

Photo: Nam Y. Huh / Associated Press

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<b><center>July 1, 2012</b></center> The Astros kicked off July with a 3-0 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

<b><center>July 1, 2012</b></center> The Astros kicked off July with a 3-0 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Photo: Nam Y. Huh / Associated Press

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The fans were not packing Minute Maid Park in July. The Astros rank last in the NL in attendance and 27th in the majors.

The fans were not packing Minute Maid Park in July. The Astros rank last in the NL in attendance and 27th in the majors.

Photo: Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle

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<b><center>July 4, 2012</b></center> The Astros parted ways with Carlos Lee, sending him to the Marlins. Lee is in the final year of the six-year, $100 million contract he signed with the Astros in 2006. In 815 games with the Astros, Lee hit .286 and 133 home runs. less

<b><center>July 4, 2012</b></center> The Astros parted ways with Carlos Lee, sending him to the Marlins. Lee is in the final year of the six-year, $100 million contract he signed with the Astros in 2006. In ... more

<b><center>July 21, 2012</b></center> Manager Brad Mills gives Brett Myers the ball for the final time. Myers was dealt to the White Sox for two minor league pitchers.

<b><center>July 21, 2012</b></center> Manager Brad Mills gives Brett Myers the ball for the final time. Myers was dealt to the White Sox for two minor league pitchers.

Photo: Bob Levey / Getty Images

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<b><center>July 21, 2012</b></center> Jason Kubel connects for his third home run of the game off of reliever Enerio Del Rosario in the Diamondbacks 12-3 throttling of Houston.

<b><center>July 21, 2012</b></center> Jason Kubel connects for his third home run of the game off of reliever Enerio Del Rosario in the Diamondbacks 12-3 throttling of Houston.

Photo: Norm Hall / Getty Images

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<b><center>July 24, 2012</b></center> Wandy Rodriguez gives a thumbs-up in the dugout moments after finding out that he had been traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

<b><center>July 24, 2012</b></center> Wandy Rodriguez gives a thumbs-up in the dugout moments after finding out that he had been traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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<b><center>July 27, 2012</b></center> Drew Sutton slides into home after a wild pitch by Xavier Cedeno to lock up a 6-5 comeback win for the Pirates. The Astros led 5-4 going into the ninth. It the Astros' fifth of seven one-run loses in July. less

<b><center>July 27, 2012</b></center> Drew Sutton slides into home after a wild pitch by Xavier Cedeno to lock up a 6-5 comeback win for the Pirates. The Astros led 5-4 going into the ninth. It the Astros' ... more

Photo: Eric Kayne / Associated Press

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<b><center>July 28, 2012</b></center> Wandy Rodriguez pitched six innings in his return to Minute Maid Park, as the Pirates won 4-3.

<b><center>July 28, 2012</b></center> Wandy Rodriguez pitched six innings in his return to Minute Maid Park, as the Pirates won 4-3.

<b><center>July 30, 2012</b></center>
Francisco Cordero has pitched in five games for the Astros. He has three losses, three blown saves and an ERA of 18.00 since being acquired from the Blue Jays in a 10-player trade. less

<b><center>July 30, 2012</b></center>
Francisco Cordero has pitched in five games for the Astros. He has three losses, three blown saves and an ERA of 18.00 since being acquired from the Blue Jays in a ... more

Photo: Bob Levey / Getty Images

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<b><center>July 30, 2012</b></center>
Scott Moore is tagged out trying to steal second base during the second inning of the Astros 8-7 loss to the Brewers. It was their seventh one-run loss of the month and dropped their record in July to 3-23. less

<b><center>July 30, 2012</b></center>
Scott Moore is tagged out trying to steal second base during the second inning of the Astros 8-7 loss to the Brewers. It was their seventh one-run loss of the month and ... more